North Hempstead Bay Constables Rescue 2 Boaters This Summer

Summer is barely underway, and already, North Hempstead bay constables performed life-saving services by pulling two distressed boaters from the waters in separate incidents, officials said Wednesday.

Both incidents occurred around Hempstead Harbor, according to Public Safety Commissioner Andrew DeMartin.

On June 21, a man fell from his sailboat while attempting to clear a line from his boat’s handrails, DeMartin said. The man, who was wearing a personal floatation device, was spotted in the water by nearby Bay Constables Victor Fuentes and Terence Doyle and assisted him back onto his boat.

On June 24, Bay Constable Fuentes and Bay Constable Steven Somma observed a teenager who had fallen out of his kayak and was unable to get back in. The constables managed to pull the teen from the water and turn over his kayak, before bringing him back to the dock.

The bay constables play a vital service to the town, North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth said.

“They keep our waterways safe for boaters, kayakers, and all of our residents who enjoy recreating in our bays and harbors,” she noted. “We are grateful for their vigilance and that they were there to help  these two boaters in distress.”